12/26/13 - CBSSPORTS.COM ALL-AMERICANS: FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE AS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: OT - Jake Matthews, Sr., Texas A&M: Taking over for last year's second overall draft pick Luke Joeckel at left tackle, Matthews protected Johnny Manziel's blind side this season and quietly had a strong senior campaign. He displays the feet and shuffle quickness to mirror speed off the edge and the base and hand strength to stonewall power rushers. Matthews isn't flashy, but his consistency and versatility is what makes him attractive to next level scouts. Look for Matthews to give the Aggies back-to-back years with offensive tackles drafted in the top-five picks, maybe the top three picks. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
12/13/13 - 2013 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: OL Jake Matthews, Texas A&M, 6-5 305, Sr., Missouri City, TX...Matthews, from Missouri City, Texas, is the team leader with 45 consecutive starts on the Aggies’ offensive front. The versatile Matthews held down the all-important left tackle position for the majority of 2013, but also made several starts at right tackle when injuries forced some lineup shuffling. With Matthews clearing the way, the Aggies led the SEC in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense. The Aggies go into the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl with 6,458 total yards, including 4,211 passing yards, and have scored 523 points. - Texas A&M football

12/26/13 - CBSSPORTS.COM ALL-AMERICANS: FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE AS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: LB - C.J. Mosley, Sr., Alabama: The unquestioned heart and soul of the Alabama defense, Mosley is a coach's dream at linebacker, earning the Tide's Defensive Player of the Week 11 times in 12 games. Possessing terrific diagnostic skills, he's a virtual coach on the field whose athleticism and quick hands make him equally dangerous in pass coverage as in run support. Like other highly regarded Alabama players before him, however, Mosley's physical play has led to a number of injuries and subsequent surgeries, making his medical grade critical in determining his final draft projection. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
12/13/13 - 2013 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama, 6-2 238, Sr., Mobile, AL...Mosley, from Mobile, Ala., leads an Alabama defense that ranks in the top 15 nationally in scoring defense (2nd), red zone defense (4th), total defense (5th), pass defense (5th), rush defense (11th) and pass efficiency defense (15th). Mosley leads the 2013 team with 102 tackles and nine tackles for loss (-20 yards). He has five pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He was the Alabama Defensive Player of the week 11 times in 12 games and ranks fourth in school history with 313 tackles. Mosley has made at least seven tackles in 10 games this season and recorded double digits five times. - Alabama football

12/26/13 - CBSSPORTS.COM ALL-AMERICANS: FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE AS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: LB - Anthony Barr, Sr., UCLA: Barr's evolution from running back to outside linebacker and a potential top-five selection in the 2014 NFL draft is one of the more extraordinary developments in college football over the past two years. Powerful and athletic, Barr can be a terror off the edge, as his 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and five forced fumbles in 2013 attest. Scouts feel that Barr is stout enough to handle strongside duties in the 4-3 alignment but believe his best fit is as a stand-up outside linebacker in the 3-4. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
12/13/13 - 2013 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: LB Anthony Barr, UCLA, 6-4 248, Sr., San Pedro, CA...The 2013 Lott IMPACT Trophy Winner, Barr led UCLA with 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and totaled 62 tackles this season. - UCLA football

"He doesn't have a huge arm, but he makes up for it with excellent timing, touch and decision-making. Scouts around the NFL are split on McCarron, but he has compiled a very impressive college résumé."
Hot 100 seniors
In his midseason update of the top 100 seniors in college football, Gil Brandt has UCLA LB Anthony Barr No. 1 and a previously unranked player in his top 5. More ...

McCarron chalked up his 34th win in 36 career starts at Alabama Saturday against rival LSU, tossing three touchdown passes while going 14 of 20 for 179 yards, without a turnover. That scouts are giving McCarron a high grade in the decision-making category is no surprise. He hasn't thrown an interception in 27 of 36 career starts, with seven one-interception games. He's never thrown three in a game in his entire career.

NFL Media draft analyst Bucky Brooks identified that very strength in McCarron in the latest edition of "Scout's Take". Brooks noted as well that McCarron threw all three of his touchdown passes against the blitz, completing 9 of 13 passes for the game in the face of five or more pass rushers.

Still, McCarron's arm strength may draw question marks as his college career turns to full-blown draft evaluation.

My gut tells me Miami could switch to a 3-4. It seems likely the team will have a new DC and I think the talent in Miami would make for an easy switch. Jordan, for one, would seem best suited for a 3-4, as would Ellerbe who played much better in that system. So, if that happens, I think Mosley would be an ideal pick for the middle of the defense. The Dolphins could use his talent for sure, but also his leadership.

If McCarron makes it to R2, I'd be very tempted. I like Tannehill and still think he could develop with a better offensive line, but McCarron is so underrated and getting that kind of player in R2 wouldn't be a bad move. McCarron reminds me a lot of Pennington.

Outstanding route recognition. Reads quarterback's eyes and reacts quickly. Decisive in his movements. Always in position and rarely beat by double moves. Great press jam at the line. Smooth when opening up hips to transition into a sprint. Could be a beat slow when getting out of his backpedal. Teams rarely threw his way. Anchor for the Spartans' top pass defense. Above-average fluidity in his movements. Still perfecting his man coverage technique, particularly the footwork.

Average recognition against the run. A beat slow getting off blocks. Seals the edge well and nothing special as a tackler. Not afraid of contact. Could afford to add more strength. Average straight line speed. Not particularly an explosive athlete. Tracks the ball well. Can usually come down with the catch when leaping. Would be better off just deflecting the ball.

Routing ~ Phenomenal. Matthews run a vast, sprawling array of Routes, and runs them well. Jerry Rice's Cousin echoes The Great One's persistently diligent Attention to Detail in all the subtleties of Routing, and both his Patience and Work Ethic. Matthews works Routes like a seasoned Veteran and will rapidly earn his QuarterBack's Trust.

Separation ~ Adept. Matthews isn't especially explosive out'f'is Breaks, but he's sharp enough, and he exhibits tremendous Fluidity in carving out Routes. Watching him on Tape, I often had difficulty distinguishing him before the Snap, despite his Height, because his Core Power and Core Agility is so exceptional that his appearance, when he coils up, is very similar to that of a shorter man. This aids him in producing very impressive Acceleration out'f the Blocks. His best Aspects of Separation, however, are his Field Vision and Instincts for the Open Zone.

Catching ~ Exceptional. He laid a few Clankers down in previous Years, but Matthews is vastly improved, this Year. He Tracks the Ball exceptionally well, and often exhibits spectacular Vertical Agility. He clearly needs to develop his Capacity to Box Out Defenders at the Catch Point, but he's got huge Hands and immense Potential.

Navigation ~ Adept. He's racked up pedestrian Yards After Catch Stats at VanDerBilt, but I couldn't help but notice that it is not very often that's put in a position to do so. When he actually gets the Ball with a little bit of Space to work with, his Ricochet is unremarkable, but he demonstrates Fluidity, Power and startling BreakAway Speed!!

*According to a report in AL.com, Boston College senior running back Andre Williams has withdrawn from the Senior Bowl due to an injury; presumably the same shoulder injury that forced the Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman finalist to leave the second half of the Syracuse game. Also have to wonder whether Williams was 100 percent healed during the Eagles' AdvoCare V100 'Independence' Bowl matchup with Arizona. Only seven of the running back's 26 carries came (early) in the second half and Williams was later spelled by freshmen Myles Willis and Tyler Rouse midway through the fourth quarter. Williams will no doubt have a number of workouts scheduled in the coming weeks, including the NFL's Scouting Combine in February, so he may be sitting out the Senior Bowl to avoid re-aggravating that shoulder injury initially sustained during his 42 carry, 339 yard rushing performance vs. N.C. State.

12/26/13 - CBSSPORTS.COM ALL-AMERICANS: FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE AS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: RB - Andre Williams, Sr., Boston College: With only 584 rushing yards a year ago, Williams entered 2013 with low expectations and an undrafted grade by most pro teams. But he stepped up in a big way this season and helped his NFL evaluation, proving to be a workhorse with over 2,100 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Williams, who recorded four 250-plus rushing yard performances as a senior, isn't the fastest or most elusive ball-carrier, but he is effective with patience and brute power to deliver hits. He should be one of the top senior backs drafted, probably a borderline top-100 prospect. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
12/13/13 - 2013 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: RB Andre Williams, Boston College, 6-0 227, Sr., Schnecksville, PA...Williams, who is a finalist for the 2013 Heisman Trophy, registered 329 rushing attempts for 2,102 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 2,102 rushing yards in 12 games represents the ninth greatest rushing season in the history of college football. He leads the nation in most rushing categories, including yards, attempts, yards per game (175.2), 200-yard games (five) and 250-yard games (four). - Boston College football
12/13/13 - 2013 ALL-ACC FIRST TEAM (COACHES): RB-Andre Williams (UNANIMOUS), Sr., Boston College (39)...Williams, a 6-foot, 227-pound senior, played in all 12 games and recorded an ACC-record 2,102 rushing yards on 329 carriers, marking the ninth-best rushing season in the history of college football. He finished the regular season ranked first among all FBS running backs in the country in rushing yards per game (175.2) and broke Boston College's single-season rushing record formerly held by Mike Cloud (1,726; 1998) in 10 games. - Boston College football

Williams became the 13th runner in FBS history to top the 2,000-yard mark with a 263-yard effort against Maryland. The performance marked his ninth 100-yard game of the season and the fifth time Williams surpassed 200 rushing yards. Additionally, it was the sixth time Williams logged at least 30-plus rushing attempts in a game, which is uncommon in today's pass-happy collegiate game.

I've been impressed with his combination of strength, power and explosiveness this season. Measuring 6-foot, 227 pounds, Williams runs through contact at the point of attack while exhibiting surprising balance and body control for a big back. He rarely goes down on initial contact and consistently falls forward at the end of runs.

Of course, those traits are expected from a big, physical runner, but I've been most impressed by Williams' sneaky quickness and big-play ability. He shows a nifty pitter-pat move in the hole and has a knack for avoiding defenders at the second level. Although he is certainly not a jitterbug on the perimeter, Williams displays enough elusiveness to make defenders miss in space and flashes the burst to run away from the secondary. As a result, he leads the nation in runs of 30-plus yards (17) and averages a hefty 6.5 yards per carry this season.

Despite the impressive numbers on his resume, the jury is still out on whether Williams will be a fantastic player at the next level. Skeptics will question why he has only one season of significant production despite having 15 career starts heading into the season. Although Williams has led the team in various rushing statistics throughout his tenure, he failed to crack the 1,000-yard mark in any of his previous seasons, and he failed to make a significant impact as the Eagles' lead runner. Therefore, scouts will wonder if he can sustain his success at the next level when the speed, quickness and athleticism of defenders result in smaller holes between the tackles.

12/05/13 - 2013 ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM (MEDIA): C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa, Tight End...Fiedorowicz has 26 receptions for 253 yards and a team-high six touchdowns this season, including the overtime game-winner against Northwestern on Oct. 26. - Iowa football
12/05/13 - 2013 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM (COACHES): C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa, Tight End...Fiedorowicz has recorded at least one reception in 30 consecutive games, a streak that ranks second among active FBS tight ends; Washington's Austin Seferian-Jenkins is first with 37 straight games with a catch. Fiedorowicz has 85 catches for 421 yards over the last 30 games, and has caught all 10 career touchdowns during the streak. - Iowa football

Overall: C.J., while doubtful to enter the draft this year (underclassmen rarely leave early from Iowa), has played himself into the top-50 overall in this class due to his natural talent in the run and pass block game, along with talent and production growth, the last two seasons. He is in a similar situation to Chris Gragg, where he needs to step up to a heavy and reliable role in an offense that featured key departures. He needs to show he can be a factor in an offense that already caters to the Tight End play. C.J. is in the same mold as the past great NFL Drafted Tight Ends from the University of Iowa, but will project better due to not suffering similar injuries and setbacks

12/13/13 - 2013 WALTER CAMP SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: OL Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State, 6-4 340, Sr., Liberty, MS...Last week, Jackson became the first offensive lineman to win the C Spire Conerly Trophy winner while also tabbed as the first Kent Hull Award recipient as top offensive lineman in Mississippi. He has also been instrumental in helping MSU to one of its best offensive seasons in program history, averaging 426.2 yards a game, which is on pace to break the single-season record of 422.0 yards per contest, set in 1982. The Bulldogs’ 5,114 total yards are good for second on the program’s single-season chart behind the 2010 squad’s 5,217 yards. - Mississippi State football
12/11/13 - 2013 ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM (COACHES): OL - Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State...On Tuesday, the senior guard from Liberty, Miss., was voted first-team All-SEC by the league coaches one day after receiving the same recognition from the Associated Press. Last week, Jackson became the first offensive lineman to win the C Spire Conerly Trophy winner while also tabbed as the first Kent Hull Award recipient as top offensive lineman in Mississippi.

He has also been instrumental in helping MSU to one of its best offensive seasons in program history, averaging 426.2 yards a game, which is on pace to break the single-season record of 422.0 yards per contest, set in 1982. The Bulldogs’ 5,114 total yards are good for second on the program’s single-season chart behind the 2010 squad’s 5,217 yards. - Mississippi State football
12/10/13 - 2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM: OL - Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State, 6-4, 340, Sr,...The award haul continues for Jackson, who last week received the C Spire Conerly Trophy winner as top player in the state of Mississippi, becoming the first offensive lineman to earn the award. The Liberty, Miss., native was also tabbed as the Kent Hull Award recipient as top offensive lineman in Mississippi.

On the field, Jackson graded out at 88 percent with three knockdowns against No. 1 Alabama a week after being graded at 89 percent with four knockdowns on the road at No. 11 Texas A&M. Jackson is helping MSU to one of its best offensive seasons in program history, averaging 426.2 yards a game, on pace to shatter the single-season record of 422.0 yards per contest, set in 1982. The Bulldogs’ 5,114 total yards are good for second on the program’s single-season chart behind the 2010 squad’s 5,217 yards. - Mississippi State football

Jackson has a few weaknesses as well, though none of them severely limit his play. The most pressing one would seem to be his speed, as he tends to be a bit slow off the ball. This could become a bigger issue once he becomes a pro in an NFL as the defensive linemen there are faster than ever. One seemingly obvious solution to this issue would be for him to cut some weight, which the team who drafts him will most likely ask him to do.

In addition, Jackson sometimes plays too high, which results in him not gaining ground on run plays or getting pushed back by pass rushers. This would be another reason for him to shed a few pounds, as it may allow him to get some extra knee bend.

Overall, though, Jackson’s strengths significantly outweigh his weaknesses. He’ll be battling with Baylor‘s Cyril Richardson to be the first guard taken in the draft, and one or both of them could end up going in the first round. If Jackson doesn’t come off the board within the first 32 picks, he’s almost a sure bet to be taken during the second round.

12/11/13 - 2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM: C - Travis Swanson, Arkansas, 6-5, 315, Sr,...Swanson started all 50 games of his career, the first Razorback to start 50 consecutive games and just the second to start 50 in a career. He was elected as a team captain in 2012 and 2013 to become the 11th Razorback to serve consecutive seasons as a captain. Swanson has accepted an invitation to the 2014 Senior Bowl and will participate in the nation's top showcase of senior talent for NFL evaluators with a week of practices leading up to the Jan. 25 game in Mobile, Ala. - Arkansas football
12/11/13 - 2013 ALL-SEC SECOND TEAM (COACHES): C - Travis Swanson, Arkansas...Swanson earned a grade of 80 percent or higher eight times, including 90 percent vs. No. 10 Texas A&M, and registered 74 knockdown blocks in 2013. The Kingwood, Texas, native led an offensive line that blocked as Alex Collins became the 10th true freshman in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards and as Collins and Jonathan Williams became the second Razorback duo to each reach at least 900 rushing yards in one season. The offensive line, which featured two true freshmen starting the final eight games, also broke the single-season school record by only allowing 8.0 sacks. Arkansas leads the SEC and is tied for second in the NCAA with an average of 0.67 sacks allowed per game. The Razorbacks' average of one sack allowed for every 37.63 pass attempts is the best in the conference and seventh in the nation.

Swanson started all 50 games of his career, the first Razorback to start 50 consecutive games and just the second to start 50 in a career. He was elected as a team captain in 2012 and 2013 to become the 11th Razorback to serve consecutive seasons as a captain. Swanson has accepted an invitation to the 2014 Senior Bowl and will participate in the nation's top showcase of senior talent for NFL evaluators with a week of practices leading up to the Jan. 25 game in Mobile, Ala. - Arkansas football

Travis Swanson, C, Senior- Swanson is the best prospect that the Razorbacks return on their offense, and he is considered by many as the top Center in the 2014 NFL Draft class. Initially when I watched him I was pretty underwhelmed, and he really seemed to struggle against Texas A&M’s Kirby Ennis, a 6’4”, 300 pound nose guard. He struggled to create push in the run game when blocking defensive linemen 1 on 1 in all the games that I watched which is contrary to what you might think given his listed size of 6’5”, 314 pounds. Still, he had a bad game against Texas A&M and that happens to everyone, it’s why you need to watch more than one game whenever possible. Swanson bounced back strong against Auburn and showed more mobility than I saw versus Texas A&M (almost to the point that I wondered if Swanson was playing through an injury that week) and looked more comfortable combo blocking and reaching linebackers at the second level. That was very encouraging to see, and it was also good to see him flash some ability to pull and make cut blocks. I think he needs work in this area, but there’s ability to work with there. He can generate push when double teaming with one of his guards, but he’s at his best when he can combo block, reach the second level, or seal off a defender without trying to push him off the ball. When he tries to generate push he tends to lean too much and it made him easy to shed for guys like Kirby Ennis of A&M and Isaac Gross of Ole Miss. There were times that Swanson really seemed to struggle with speed and quickness in the run game, and that was particularly evident against Ole Miss when Isaac Gross regularly beat him despite being listed as a 6’1”, 255 pound true freshman defensive tackle. He was much quicker than Swanson and that made it tough for him to initiate contact and keep him out of the backfield. However, despite some of his struggles in the run game I was quite impressed with him in the pass game. It’s evident that he is very smart and he makes very few mental mistakes based on what I was able to see. He isn’t easily fooled by twists, stunts, or late blitzes and seems comfortable making line calls and adjusting blocking schemes. That is good news, because he’s going to have to hold Brandon Allen’s hand a little bit in that regard since he has so little experience starting at quarterback in the SEC. He’s also regarded as a very good leader and that is very encouraging. I thought he showed a pretty solid anchor in pass protection, but I still think he can get stronger and improve it at this point in his career. He’s pretty tough to bull rush though, and a number of the issues I saw with him in the run game weren’t present in the pass game. He’s going to be a good pass protector in the NFL and I think he might be able to plug and play at the center position thanks to that skill set. He has experience snapping under center, in shotgun and the pistol thanks to Arkansas’ offense, and as I mentioned previously he has a lot of experience making line calls. I still want to see him continue to work on his hand placement, particularly in the run game, and there are times in pass pro where he tends to shuffle back in a strange way. He almost seems to be on his heels trying to gain depth after the snap, and it looks like if he was engaged he would really struggle to anchor and recover. He’s shown an ability to do that when I’ve watched him, but that shuffle looked strange to me. Regardless, he still needs work in the running game and I’m not sure he’s ever going to be the mauling run blocker you might expect given his size and weight, but he’s a good pass blocker with a high football IQ who I think has a long NFL career in front of him. At this point I have a 3rd round grade on him, so it will be interesting to see if he can boost his stock beyond that point during his senior season.

McCullers’ best fit is as a traditional nose tackle in the middle of a 3 man front, but he might be too tempting to pass up for some teams running the 4-3 as well. He is a tremendous run clogger that wreaks havoc in the middle of the line and disrupts running plays and protects his linebackers to enable them to run around and make plays. He is a better fit in the 3-4 because his lack of pass rush ability is less of a problem there, but there will be 4-3 teams that look at him as the ideal 2-down run stopper and not care that he is not a great pass rush threat. Some of the teams that would be a great fit for McCullers would include Pittsburgh, Cleveland, San Francisco, Baltimore, Green Bay, and San Diego, but again, teams running a 4-3 in on McCullers will certainly outnumber those who are not.

NFL Comparison

With the news of McCullers’ height and if he comes in anywhere near that 6’8” height he has been listed, he compares to former Johnathan Henderson, most notably of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Henderson came out at 6’7” but was 335lbs at least when he left college. That number went north as his career progressed which hurt his ability to be the impact player he was initially. He was always an incredibly tough player to move but when he was lighter, he was a monster up front and as good as he was against the run, had 15.5 sacks in his first three years. He was able to compile 29 sacks overall in his 8 year career. It is unlikely that McCullers will pile up big time sack numbers but he could end up having this type of impact where he may get a few sacks per year but his impact is in his ability to create for teammates and shut down the run, which is what Henderson did so well.

Draft Projection

Daniel McCullers looks ready to contribute right now and would likely be a top 50 pick if the draft were held today. He is simply overpowering in what he can do in the middle of the line and he has done it against extremely highly rated players who were drafted in the top half of the first round in the NFL Draft, so there is little reason to expect he will not be able to translate to the next level. In addition to simply continuing to work on his game, he should really consider continuing to drop more weight. It helps his motor, stamina, and his balance and he has seen how much of a different the loss of weight has made for him this year; it may only continue to get better and better with less of him to get in the way. The biggest areas to improve for McCullers come down to stamina, his motor and trying to work to play lower and with consistency. McCullers projects as a top 50 pick right now but has the chance to work his draft stock solidly into the first round pick as the best pure nose in the entire draft and the potential is there for him to go as high as the top 15 picks.

12/13/13 - 2013 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: LB Trent Murphy, Stanford, 6-6 261, Sr., Mesa, AZ...Murphy, a fifth-year senior outside linebacker, leads the nation in sacks with 14.0, 1.5 more than any other player. He also ranks sixth nationally with 1.7 tackles for loss/game while his 21.5 tackles for loss are third most. Murphy’s 14.0 sacks currently rank tied for fourth on Stanford’s single season list with Kailee Wong (1996) and Riall Johnson (1999).

Murphy’s total is the most by a Stanford player since 2000 when Johnson tallied 15 sacks. Murphy had two or more sacks in five different games this season and recorded at least one sack in nine of 13 contests. All said and done, the team co-captain has totaled 58 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, one interception returned 30 yards for a touchdown, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick while helping lead the Cardinal to the 100th Rose Bowl Game against Michigan State on Jan. 1. - Stanford football
12/03/13 - 2013 ALL-PAC-12 FIRST TEAM (COACHES): LB Trent Murphy, Sr., Stanford (2)...Murphy leads the Pac-12 and ranks second nationally in sacks with 13.0 this season. He ranks second in the conference and sixth nationally with 19.5 tackles for loss. Aside from getting into the backfield, Murphy has troubled opposing teams with seven passes defended, seven quarterback hurries, one interception, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. Murphy currently stands in sixth place on Stanford’s career tackle for loss list (48.5). - Stanford football
11/11/13 - TOP 10 BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF 2013: 7. Trent Murphy, Stanford, OLB/DE: The toughest guy on the tough Cardinal D, the 6-6, 260-pound former track star leads Stanford with 9.5 sacks and 13 TFLs this season. Earlier this week, in advance of Stanford's huge test against Oregon this week, Murphy and his rugged upbringing was detailed by SI.com's Stew Mandel in this piece that is worth a look. - Bruce Feldman, CBSSports.com

Trent Murphy can play any number of positions depending on the team that drafts him. The best fit for Murphy appears to be as a 4-3 defensive end and he appears to be able to play on both sides. He plays a significant amount of linebacker and a standup end, but he looks his best when he plays with his hand in the ground. Murphy has the speed and quickness to get outside, but if he can embrace his power, he can be a force at the end spot.

Murphy could also play as an outside linebacker in the 3-4. He has good range and is athletic enough where he does not look awkward or uncomfortable attacking from the edge. The key with Murphy is getting him to play with a lower pad level and maintain leverage. Too often, he loses his power because he plays so high and gets pushed back by opponents.

It is also possible that Murphy could end up as a 5-technique end in a 3-4. He has the natural length and potential to add weight without issue. Murphy possesses the athleticism and quickness to be able to rush the passer but the strength to hold against the run. This might be the unlikeliest scenario, but he could do it.

NFL Comparison

If he gets picked as a defensive end in a 4-3, Murphy could end up resembling Corey Wootton of the Chicago Bears. Wootton was drafted in the fifth round due largely to an ankle injury he suffered in his final year at college but worked himself into a fine player that could play inside and outside in the Bears front.

In a 3-4, Murphy could be more like Paul Kruger of the Cleveland Browns. They have similar length and the ability to accelerate, but both came out with some inconsistencies that needed developed.

Draft Projection

Trent Murphy has been an incredible productive player at Stanford but he is still an unfinished product as he goes to the NFL. Much of this could be simply because he does so many things and has shown potential and ability in the process. Still, if he could focus on one spot and master it, he could be a terrific player and has the potential to be a better NFL player than the career he had in college. While he can contribute right away, his best football might be some time and development away. Murphy projects as a top 100 pick and it would hardly be surprising to see him go in the top 75 picks because of the ability he has shown, but also with the significant potential he has athletically going forward.

So far in my scouting, Craig Loston takes the award for the best ‘head hunter’ in the class of 2014, or anyone else who might be eligible for it. He is a strong safety prospect who has a great build at 6’2″ 205 pounds, and while he’s not as athletic as All-American teammate Eric Reid, he may turn out to be drafted similarly high. Loston is an attacker, but his overall game should improve in time. With Reid roaming the centerfield position for LSU last season, Loston was allowed to play downhill a lot more, and he excels in that area.

He has unbelievable closing speed, and his fearlessness in his hitting is remarkable. He will occasionally whiff or take a bad angle, but this guy hits like a ton of bricks and has the look of a starting NFL safety. He has a great energy on the field, and seems to really get his teammates fired up. His playmaking is infectious, and under the circumstances last year, he played some great ball. Stepping into a starting role, he finished with 55 tackles,Â three for a loss, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery. He also took one of his picks to the house.

12/26/13 - CBSSPORTS.COM ALL-AMERICANS: FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE AS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: S - Terrence Brooks, Sr., Florida State: Brooks lack of dominating statistics led to his being overshadowed at times but NFL scouts are intrigued with the former cornerback's agility, range and willingness to be physical in run support. Voted to the First Team All-ACC unit by coaches (but only second-team by the media), Brooks' toughness and versatility could lead to a second-day selection in the draft despite few outside of Tallahassee realizing his importance to the Seminoles' undefeated season. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
12/13/13 - 2013 ALL-ACC FIRST TEAM (COACHES): S-Terrence Brooks, Sr., Florida State (33)...Has been selected First Team All-ACC for the 2013 college football season by the ACC Coaches. - Florida State football
12/04/13 - 2013 ALL-ACC SECOND TEAM (MEDIA): S Terrence Brooks, Florida State, 5-11, 200, Sr., Dunnellon, Fla. (97)...Has been selected Second Team All-ACC for the 2013 college football season by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA). - Florida State football

Brooks is a player who might be best suited to play as a free safety, but he is a developmental option at both free and strong safety. He might have an added appeal for teams who really do not put strict labels on their safeties, because he can do a little bit of everything. Brooks has a ton of upside, but really needs to be refined in his technical ability. He has the ability to develop into a starter and then some and it just depends on how quickly he can learn and apply it.

Brooks looks like someone who could provide depth at both safety spots and make an instant impact on special teams. The possibility is there he could be a player that comes in and starts as a rookie, making a big impact if he can absorb coaching quickly.

NFL Comparison

Brooks’ game might be similar to that of Mike Mitchell from the Carolina Panthers. Mitchell was a shocking pick that caught most by surprise when he was a second round pick by the Oakland Raiders out of Ohio in 2009. Mitchell was mostly an athletic prospect that needed to refine his game and learn it. It took him a while to accomplish that, but he has found himself a home in Carolina as one of their starting safeties. That could be the same type of path Brooks has, though the team that drafts him hopes to get more benefit than Oakland did with Mitchell.

Draft Projection

Terrence Brooks has a ton of ability and if he can refine it and harness it all, he can be a terrific safety in the NFL, regardless of whether it is strong or free. He has demonstrated a lot of natural ability in coverage, but really needs to get better as a run defender. Brooks should be able to be good on special teams immediately and has the potential to not just be a starter, but a great player in the NFL. He projects as a day three pick but he could end up going in the top 100 because of his upside and the upside that could have him become a star.

12/21/13 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Derek Carr has totaled 12,626 passing yards and 111 touchdowns in his Fresno State career. He is having one of his most productive seasons, passing for 4,866 yards and 48 touchdowns. NFL scouts love his strong, accurate arm, field awareness and vision. A drop-back passer, Carr does not have the mobility to keep a strong defensive front like USC honest. He has been sacked 11 times this season. - The Sports Xchange
12/21/13 - 2014 NFL Draft: Fresno's Derek Carr stalls in Vegas Bowl loss to USC...While Carr teased with some impressive throws, he also misfired several occasions, including on two potential touchdowns. Each were overthrows against man coverage; the first missing a wide-open Burse in the right corner of the end zone one play before hitting him on the slant for the score. Carr also led Adams too far in the second and third quarters. In each case, Adams had broken free with a terrific combo routes. Carr's brilliant senior campaign was the primary reason for Fresno State winning the Mountain West title and earning the Vegas Bowl berth. To earn a spot in the first round, as Dane Brugler and I currently project, however, Carr will need a more impressive performance in Mobile, Ala. in the Senior Bowl. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

Hyde was accused of assaulting a woman, and he was suspended from all team activities immediately. It had been initially reported that the starting back was kicked off the team, but the Buckeyes took a wait-and-see approach.

12/03/13 - 2013 BIG TEN AMECHE-DAYNE RUNNING BACK OF THE YEAR: Carlos Hyde, Ohio State...Hyde was named the Big Ten's Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year. The senior from Naples, Fla., leads the Big Ten in rushing with 143.3 yards per game along with 14 touchdowns, including 156.1 yards per game in Big Ten play. Hyde, who has rushed for 589 yards and seven touchdowns in the last three contests, also was named first-team all-conference by both the coaches and the media.

With 1,290 yards, he became the first running back for an Urban Meyer-coached team to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the last seven games, including two 200-yard performances. - Ohio State football

Agility ~ Outstanding. I have to keep reminding myself that he weighs 230 or so. He JitterBugs, Cuts, Slashes, and Ricochets like a man 30 Pounds lighter. His Fluidity is sweet, and'is Ricochet out'f'is Breaks is outstanding.

Processing Speed ~ Tremendous. Such things are always inferred, of course ~ I'm not a Mind Reader!! ~ but the way that Mister Hyde consistently hits his Cuts exhibits tremendous Field Vision: He Sees What Will Be.

Blocking ~ Heh. You know, he kinda sucks at Blocking, and I saw several spectacular Misses...Yet I have to say: He commands exceptional Potential in that Aspect of the Game. Hyde is possessed of phenomenal Core Power and an utterly ferocious Temperament. He is a Savage, and with the right Coaching, could become extraordinary.

Receiving ~ He's developing into a potentially very effective Outlet Receiver, this Year.

I'm concerned about Carlos Hyde's Stone Fingers and Psychotic Blocking ~ I'm reading Praise on both from others, so maybe they're privy to more Tape than I ~ but he took an enormous leap Forward, this Year, and has become an explosive, dangerous Threat...and I think that with Coaching he's going to become a phenomenal Blocker.

And I'm exaggerating about the Stone Fingers: He is raw and inconsistent, but has flashed considerably improved Hands as a Receiver, this Year, and projects to become a solid Outlet Receiver, I believe.

Carlos Hyde, it seems to me, is a Rarity: A Power Runner with exceptional Agility.

He is a constant threat to blast right through the Heart of a Defense on every single Play...And yet a legitimate Threat to Flip Hips and Surge into The Open. The combination can be destructive.

Add in his relentless Ferocity and raw Capacity as a Blocker, and his burgeoning Capacity as a Receiver, and I would say that Mister Hyde's presence on the Field gives his Team equally attractive options in either the Passing or the Running Game. That makes him a very dangerous 3 Down Back...and a formidable Adversary.

Thanks, as always, to the extraordinary Work by the men of Draft BreakDown!!
Beast ~ SemiSleeper!!
Consensus Market Value

12/12/13 - 2013 RIMINGTON TROPHY WINNER (TOP CENTER) : Florida State redshirt senior center Bryan Stork captured the 2013 Rimington Trophy given to the nation's most outstanding center on Thursday at the ESPNU Red Carpet Show preceding the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Stork becomes the 14th winner of the trophy, which is presented by the Boomer Esiason Foundation in honor of College Football Hall of Famer and former Nebraska All-America center Dave Rimington. The winner of the Rimington Trophy is selected by determining the consensus All-America center pick from the Walter Camp, Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America All-America teams.

A fifth-year player from Vero Beach, Fla., Stork is the veteran leader (39 career starts) of the nation's top offense. This season the No. 1-ranked and undefeated Seminoles (13-0) set FSU and ACC records for single-season total offense (6,882 yards) and points (689), while averaging 53.0 points per game - second in the country. FSU leads the nation with 90 touchdowns and is just 28 points away from setting the national record for points in a season. With the Stork-led Seminole offensive line paving the way, FSU ranks first in the ACC and sixth in the nation in total offense per game (529.4) and has three wide receivers and a running back on pace for 1,000-yard seasons. - Florida State football

Stork is best suited to play in a scheme that allows him to take advantage of his range and athleticism, but he can play in any scheme that needs someone to snap the ball. For all of his range and athletic ability, he does a terrific job working his gap in both pass protection and run blocking. Stork should only get stronger with time as well which will make him more potent as time passes. There is little if anything that suggests Stork is not a plug and play center that can come in and man the position from the day he is drafted. It is possible he could be picked to play guard, but it is hard to believe that the team who would want a center would allow him to last long enough where a team picked him to play guard and provide depth at center.

NFL Comparison

Stork’s game is similar to of J.D. Walton of the Denver Broncos. When Walton came out of Baylor, he had that same type of range and athletic ability. Stork is more ready to contribute out of the gate than Walton, but both have a terrific understanding of the position. Walton’s fit in Denver has been fantastic and it remains to be seen if Stork will be drafted into that type of scheme, but he has the ability to be a center for a team over the next decade.

Draft Projection

Bryan Stork has a ton of qualities that will make attractive to the NFL. He has a great deal of athletic ability, understands the position and technique and brings a ton of experience. As good as he has been for the Seminoles, he appears as though he could get stronger and continue to improve in the NFL. He needs to hammer out the details when it comes to his balance that will occasionally have him on the ground as well as his angles hitting opponents in space. Stork projects as a top 50 pick and should be a plug and play center for whichever team ultimately picks him.

12/24/13 - 2013 FBS ALL-INDEPENDENT TEAM HONORABLE MENTION (MEDIA): BYU WR Cody Hoffman (Sr.),...Has been selected to the 2013 FBS All-Independent Team (Honorable Mention), named by the nationwide media panel responsible for the FBS Independent Player of the Week awards. - BYU football

Hands: Matthews has good hands and can make some spectacular catches, but he also drops a few balls here and there. Most of his drops come on plays over the middle, and in Hoffman’s defense, the QB play at BYU hasn’t been spectacular. Still, for a player with his catch radius, he needs to haul in everything. Grade: 8.5 out of 10

Route Running: Hoffman runs some nice routes and has a good double move on an inside-outside route he likes to run in short yardage situations. Unfortunately, he isn’t an elite athlete and sometimes struggles to separate against man coverage downfield. Grade: 8 out of 10

Speed: Hoffman has average speed in long distances and really isn’t a burner. He can beat single coverage as a deep threat with his size, but he’s not going to blow past a lot of NFL CBs. Grade: 7.5 out of 10

Quickness/Agility: Hoffman isn’t all that agile and there are times where he looks a little clunky to me on tape. His best fakes as a route runner are head fakes, not something he can do with his athletic ability. He isn’t terrible but I don’t think he’s as quick as he is fast. 7.25 out of 10

Size: Grade: Hoffman has great size and can physically dominate small D-backs. It’s his biggest asset and his best attribute. 9.25 out of 10

Jumping: We won’t know how well Hoffman stacks up in terms of a vertical leap until the combine, but he is a good player in the air and can make catches at a high point with his size and hops. Grade: TBD

Catch in Traffic: This is Hoffman’s best skill to translate to the NFL. He is great at going over defenders and out-muscling them to the ball. In 1-on-1 coverage he’s an easy target for a jump ball. The one area in this regard that I’d like to see improve is Hoffman’s ability to make plays over the middle of the field by using his body to shield off defenders. He’s a good natural receiver in traffic but needs to hone his technique and body control to reach his full potential. Grade: 9 out of 10

After Catch Ability: Grade: Hoffman has the potential to be more dangerous after the catch with his size, but he isn’t as tough to tackle as a 215 pounder should be. He doesn’t break many tackles and he isn’t going to hurt a defense with his speed with the ball in his hands. Strictly a downfield receiver at this point. Grade: 7 out of 10

Blocking: Blocking is one are Hoffman has a lot of room for growth. He’s an okay blocker right now, but with more effort and emphasis he could be a real asset to an offense as a blocker. Grade: 7.75 out of 10

Intangibles: There aren’t many red flags around Hoffman. He might get hurt a little by not playing very high level competition at BYU, but I won’t downgrade him because that’s not really his fault and BYU plays a somewhat decent schedule (see beating Texas last Saturday). The one area I’d like to see more effort is in his blocking, as his size should allow him to be a better blocker than he is. That comes down to grit and want. Grade: 9.25 out of 10

Final Thoughts: Hoffman is a solid receiver and I admire his production at the college level, but I don’t think he’s a good enough athlete to ever be a starting WR in the NFL at this point. His size and ability to play in a confined space will make him a solid rotational piece and redzone threat. Right now I have a late 3rd round grade on Hoffman and with his injury concerns and lack of quality competition, I think his best chance to improve his stock will be his workout numbers.

Overview
With multiple tight end formations becoming all of the rage in today's NFL, oversized, athletic pass-catchers have never been more valued.

"I'm proud of what he's accomplished and how he's represented North Carolina," said Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora upon Ebron announcing on Nov. 25 that he was leaving for the 2014 NFL Draft despite having a year of eligibility remaining. "We're sad to see him go but excited for his future."

Ebron leads all ACC tight ends in catches (50) and receiving yards (774) this season, which are also career-bests and tops on the Tar Heels. He set a new school single game record with 199 yards receiving and eight catches against Miami earlier this season, a game that put him on the national radar.

Ebron needs polish but he boasts the tools to warrant first round consideration. (11/25/13)

Analysis
Strengths: Athletic enough to be split outside and use his size to post-up against smaller cornerbacks, Ebron is a true mismatch. His size, strength and aggression also make him an effective blocker at the point of attack. The 6-4, 245-pound tight end has fluid body control and agile feet to make acrobatic catches before shrugging off and accelerating past defenders with the speed to finish. Ebron has shown the ability to make impressive catches on the outside, down the seam and even the one-hand variety.

Weaknesses: Suffers some drops due to a loss of focus. Still a work in progress as a blocker.

12/05/13 - 2013 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM (COACHES): Ryan Groy, Wisconsin, Guard...Has been selected All-Big Ten First Team for the 2013 college football season as voted on by the Big Ten head football coaches. - Wisconsin football
09/17/13 - 2014 NFL DRAFT WEEK 3 STOCK REPORT, NFL PROSPECTS WHO HURT THEMSELVES: OG Ryan Groy, Wisconsin...The Badgers are known for producing talented offensive line prospects and senior left guard Ryan Groy is expected by many to be the next early round NFL draft pick out of Wisconsin. But against Arizona State, he labored most of the night and struggled to keep up with the Sun Devils quick, penetrating interior linemen.

Groy has limited mobility and flexibility and his stiff hips and rigid body control tends to show up often, especially in space. He struggles to stay balanced through contact and is often falling forward with his eyes staring at the ground, awkwardly trying to stay under control. Groy's best quality might be his natural size and girth to occupy space and slow down rushers, but at this point, it's tough to say he'll be a top-100 type like several of his predecessors in Madison. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com

Groy is a player I was initially worried about sliding outside to tackle, but I think he will be able to hold up alright there as a senior. It’s tough to project how the 6’5”, 318 pounder will do on the blind side since I’ve never seen him play there, but he has enough lateral agility, good enough length and a strong enough anchor for me to think he can handle it.

Originally I viewed him as only a guard, but after watching him and taking notes I think he might have a shot at playing tackle at the next level. That is all obviously projection, and I’m certainly not sold on him as a NFL left tackle, but he is carrying a day 2 grade from me into the season without a doubt.

I’m excited to see what he can do, because as a guard he showed pretty good hand placement, a good anchor, and was smooth getting to the second level. He doesn’t strike me as a mauler in the run game, and is at his best when he can double team a defender, seal him off, cut him, or combo block and get to the second level.

He’s not a great puller, but he looked solid when asked to do it. I think he’s going to be a good ZBS fit at the next level, and could potentially be a very good right tackle in a scheme that uses a lot of those concepts. I can’t wait to see what he can do outside at tackle this year.

For a player listed at 6-foot-8, Lewan has nice athleticism and range of movement. He can get out to the edge and upfield on bubble screens and handle defenders in space. On one play against Illinois, Lewan was 10 yards ahead of the line of scrimmage before the pass was even thrown. Lewan's block on a defensive back helped break the play for a big touchdown.
As a left tackle, Lewan has an impressive frame and build. Who knows how he'll actually measure in at the combine, but he is a tall, thick frame with long arms. He's not a slow, plodding big-bellied offensive lineman. Fatigue should never be an issue for Lewan.
Lewan's play in the run game is a major reason why he's so highly regarded. He's a natural knee bender and maintains a good power base. He specializes in driving defenders into the ground and routinely finishes plays off. Lewan seems to knows how to use his size to his advantage. He can engulf defenders at the line of scrimmage and take them completely out of the play with his strength.

What he needs to improve on

One of the things that Lewan has struggled with for his entire college career is picking up blitzes to the inside. Lewan can be slow moving to his right and double moves give him problems. It would be nice to see Lewan develop a better counter to secondary moves to the inside.
While Lewan keeps his hands active, he too often lets defenders inside his pads. This negates his natural strength and defenders can push him around. This was really noticeable on a first quarter play against Notre Dame last season. Prince Shembo, a smaller end for Notre Dame, got under and inside Lewan and pushed him back to get pressure inside.
Beating fast defensive ends to the corner is one area where Lewan has been inconsistent. Ohio State's Adolphus Washington used speed to bend around Lewan and get at the quarterback. When Lewan doesn't win with his first move, he doesn't have the foot quickness to make up for it.
Although you can argue that holding happens on every play, Lewan seems to get away with it a lot. He got caught holding a few times against Jadeveon Clowney and was even seen pulling the All-American's hair. While he's gotten away with it in college, it's something NFL referees might notice more.
Obviously this isn't something he can work on, but it's worth noting that Lewan has had minor nagging injuries throughout his Michigan career. A shoulder injury against Ohio State in 2012 knocked him out of part of the game.

Bottom line
It's no coincidence that Lewan wears No. 77 for Michigan. It's not a number randomly handed out. It's held for top-level left tackles and was previously worn by players like Jake Long and Jon Jansen. Lewan wears it because he has the look of a future top 10 pick in the draft.

What we know: In August 2013, a website published a story about rape allegations against kicker, Brandon Gibbons from 2009. Lewan became involved when, according to a police report from 2009, Lewan told a friend of the woman in the story that she had better not press charges or, "I’m going to rape her because [Gibbons] didn’t."

As a redshirt junior last season, Hageman still looked like an athlete learning to play on the defensive line. While his explosiveness, movement skills and length translate to making plays, he must become a much more technically sound player to be consistently productive at the next level.
Most importantly, Hageman needs to become better at using his hands to defeat blocks.
Hageman does not have a strong array of pass-rushing moves. He has a solid rip move which he can use to beat blockers around their outside shoulders, but he does not go to that move consistently and has not demonstrated any other strong rush moves with regularity.
Part of Hageman’s problem is that he is not efficient with his hand play, but also part of the problem is that he simply is not active enough with them. He has not demonstrated that he can fight through blocks with his hands to disengage.
While Hageman can make plays when he explodes by a blocker at the snap, he lacks the counter moves to break free when blockers lock on to him. While he is strong, he has not developed the raw power to reverse the direction of blockers when they initially engages him. This allows blockers to drive him off the line as a run defender and neutralize him as a pass-rusher.
As a result of his shortcomings with technique and use of hands, Hageman often ends up in compromising positions. He gets driven off of the line of scrimmage more than he should. He also gets turned away from plays by blockers.
For an athlete of his caliber, Hageman also has surprisingly subpar balance. He ends up on the ground much more often than he should, whether it be getting knocked down by a cut block, getting knocked over by a blocker’s power or simply tripping over a body on the ground.
Hageman is a solid tackler who does a good job of reaching out for ball-carriers and wrapping them up both at the line of scrimmage and in space.
He is somewhat inconsistent, however, with his tackling form. He does not always commit to tackles he is in position to make.

Projecting Hageman’s Fit and Draft Stock

Hageman’s overall combination of measurables gives him the versatility to play multiple positions on a defensive line.
He has lined up mostly as a 1-technique defensive tackle (between the center and guard, as demonstrated in the screenshot below) at Minnesota, but he also has experience as a 3-technique defensive tackle and even on the edge as a defensive end.
Hageman projects most naturally to a 4-3 defensive scheme, in which he has the potential to play both defensive tackle positions. His athleticism may make him best suited to play the 3-technique position, though he has to become better with his hands to consistently penetrate gaps at the next level. As a 1-technique nose tackle, Hageman would have to be more stout in holding his ground as a point-of-attack run-stopper at the line of scrimmage.
He is an interior defensive lineman who is not going to make his living in the NFL as an edge rusher, but having the versatility to kick out to the edge situationally increases his value.
With the length to command blocks and the lateral agility to move with a run out toward the sideline, Hageman has demonstrated the ability to set the edge effectively at the defensive-end spot. He also has some edge-rushing ability, as he demonstrated in the following play versus Texas Tech

Hageman exploded off the snap and generated momentum into the right tackle, giving him a strong push to knock him over. He then pressured the quarterback enough to force him to take off and run out of the pocket.
Given his ability to make plays at least situationally as a defensive end, he should also draw intrigue as a 5-technique defensive end from teams running 3-4 defensive schemes. He must develop as an interior pass-rusher and better hold his ground at the line of scrimmage, but his measurables and skills could actually marry together well in that position if he can successfully become a two-gap player.
Altogether, Hageman’s ideal measurables, explosiveness off the snap and schematic versatility are going to draw the intrigue of many NFL teams.
Hageman played like a mid-round pick as a junior, but he is a project who could develop into a much better player than he is now. NFL coaches will likely salivate at the opportunity to work with Hageman’s natural advantages and mold him into the player he has the upside to be.
The good news for Hageman’s draft stock, of course, is that he has another year to develop his game at the collegiate level.
He currently stands as a Day 2 draft pick on potential, but if he demonstrates significant improvement and technical development in his senior season, his athletic potential is likely to vault him into the first round of the 2014 draft.

• Bulky player who has added forty pounds during his time at Alabama.
• Experienced at all four defensive line positions, primarily LE, UT.
• Has an excellent anchor and is capable of holding his ground vs. the run.
• Heavy-handed player who can knock linemen off-balance with punch.
• Effective bull rusher who can drive offensive linemen into the backfield.
• Impressive motor, especially as an edge rusher in passing situations.
• Active hand use, particularly when attempting to create pressure vs. pass.
• Range and athletic ability are surprising for a player with his build.
• Versatility even extends to short coverage drops on zone blitzes.

WEAKNESSES:

• May not necessarily have a true position for conventional 4-3 defenses.
• Part of a defensive line rotation and comes off the field fairly often.
• Holds his ground vs. the run but takes slightly too long to shed blocks.
• Can create pressure but can’t always seal the deal vs. elusive passers.
• Production isn’t eye-popping, aside from impressive junior campaign.

SUMMARY:

Intriguing, well-rounded defensive lineman who could fit in either an even or odd front, lining up at defensive end and sliding inside on passing downs for 4-3 teams or playing the five-technique position in a 3-4, particularly in a two-gapping scheme. Significantly more athletic than expected given his frame, but also possesses plenty of power and bulk. RD 2

01/01/14 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Chris Borland should get plenty of chances to make a difference. As the leader and heart and soul of the defense, Borland wraps up a stellar career against South Carolina. Borland has dealt with hamstring issues this season, but enters the bowl game with a clean bill of health. Borland was recently named the Big Ten Conference's Linebacker of the Year, then learned he was also named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 102 tackles and 8.5 tackles for a loss. - The Sports Xchange
12/05/13 - 2013 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM (MEDIA): Chris Borland, Wisconsin, Linebacker...For his career, Borland ranks sixth all-time at Wisconsin -- and second among active FBS players – with 410 total tackles. His 50.0 career tackles for loss rank 10th among active players and fourth in UW history. - Wisconsin football
12/05/13 - 2013 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM (COACHES): Chris Borland (UNANIMOUS), Wisconsin, Linebacker...Borland, finished the regular season in a tie for fifth in the Big Ten, averaging 9.27 tackles per game. His 102 total stops were the fifth-most of any Big Ten player despite the fact that he missed an entire game -- and the majority of another -- due to injury. Borland was one of just two unanimous first-team selections by the coaches, along with Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard at defensive back. - Wisconsin football

Overview
A two-star linebacker out of Kettering, Ohio, he saw immediate action at Wisconsin as a true freshman and is well on his way to being one of the most productive defenders in program history, currently with 309 career tackles. Borland already holds the Wisconsin career record for forced fumbles (13) and has made an impact behind the line of scrimmage (41.5 tackles for loss).

The highly instinctive, physical (and productive) Borland certainly looks like a candidate for this year's Rang's Gang, which highlights a group of prospects who may not possess the ideal size or athleticism, but are terrific football players.

His lack of NFL size and arm length will be tough to overlook for scouts, but he is a heady player who doesn't make many mistakes and has the productive resume that should get him drafted sometime on the draft's third day. Analysis
Strengths: Heady, passionate player. Consistently diagnoses action correctly, attacking seams to make plays near the line of scrimmage and showing better than advertised speed and change of direction while dropping into coverage. He is a no-nonsense LB, showing impressive pop and determination to get to the ball. Borland is disciplined in space and is rarely fooled, showing good body positioning and timing in coverage.

Weaknesses: Despite stellar production, Borland's pedestrian size and athleticism hurt, but there is some validity to the Zach Thomas comparisons. He lacks elite speed and range to consistently play sideline-to-sideline, but effort and motor aren't questions - his body and mind are always at full-go. Lack of length shows near the line of scrimmage.

12/26/13 - CBSSPORTS.COM ALL-AMERICANS: FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE AS NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: LB - Khalil Mack, Sr., Buffalo: Scouts don't mind investing high picks in relatively small school prospects as long they dominate at the lower level. With an FBS record 75 tackles for loss and 16 forced fumbles over his career, the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Jack Lambert Linebacker of the Year recipient certainly established himself as a dominant presence. Athletic, instinctive and an explosive hitter, Mack may only need a strong showing against top competition at the Senior Bowl to assure a spot in the top half of the first round. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

Most of the country still has not heard about Mack's ascension to the top of the MAC, but they will soon learn about him when he is drafted very early in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Mack is a highly intelligent, athletic and instinctive player with almost no flaws in his game, whether he is defending the run or pass. Elite speed. Reads and reacts very quickly and can get up to speed rapidly to make plays. Seems to be one step ahead and one beat faster than every other defender. Experience all over the front seven and could feasibly play any LB spot in 4-3 or 3-4. Can take on blockers very well and dislodge himself through use of great use of hands. Rips and slides into open space well in traffic.

Versatile coverage abilities. Can man up or face up TEs with ease. Could go up against Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski with equaled athleticism and strength. Still working on man coverage skills, which is one area he'll need improvement. Rushes the passer well and stays relentless when battling blockers one-on-one.

Works really hard in pursuit. Relentless on the backside of a play. Looks to get in the mix every play. Unreal range against the run. Quick and relatively agile. Foot speed is very good.

We would have no shot at Mack, but I have seen that dude play and practice being from the area and wow. What an animal. He will be good in the pros. Also I would not mind drafting Tre Mason if he is available later on.

Gilbert has above-average height for a corner and displays nice fluidity in his lower half. Acknowledged his focus took a step back after a lackluster junior season and admitted he had something to prove as a senior.

Long arms. Above-average ability to turn and quickly locate the ball. Good instincts. Vulnerable to double moves given his aggressive, ball-hawking style of play. Quick to read and react. Not much wasted motion/steps when changing directions. Seems to prefer to play press and doesn't mind arm fighting downfield. Pretty straight line speed (4.5 40). Physical tackler. Sheds blocks with ease. Must improve discipline when setting the edge.

01/01/14 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: Baylor S Ahmad Dixon is a lightning rod for controversy and a catalyst for the Bears. He was suspended for the first half of the Texas game after being ejected in the second half against TCU for targeting. Once he returned to the Texas game, the Bears went on a 17-0 surge that helped put away the Longhorns. But Dixon drew a celebration penalty that negated K.J. Morton's touchdown on an interception return. - The Sports Xchange
12/12/13 - 2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-BIG 12 SECOND TEAM: Defensive back Ahmad Dixon, Baylor, 6-0, 205, Sr., Waco, Texas,...Dixon ranked 24th in the league in tackles per game (5.8). - Baylor football

Overview
Born and raised in Waco, Dixon had a roller coaster recruitment that included commitments to Texas and Tennessee before he finally decided to stay home and attend Baylor. He started two seasons at the team's nickel "Bear" position, which is a hybrid LB/S role, but moved to safety for his senior year in 2013.

Baylor is known for its explosive offensive attack, but the Bears have some playmakers on defense as well, most notably Dixon, who patrols the entire field.

Dixon might be the top SS prospect for the 2014 Draft. (11/14/13)
Analysis
Strengths: Extremely fast downhill and loves to get his hands dirty in the run game, striking through his target with strong hands to finish. Dixon has an accurate first step with the quickness and range to play both sidelines with an alert, active mentality. Displays the feet and overall body coordination to hold up on an island if needed. Excellent size/speed athlete with the fluidity and natural speed to cover the entire field, making plays behind the line of scrimmage and in the deep half of the fieldWorks hard to shed blocks to make open-field stops and is a physical tackler. He is confident in coverage to jump routes and aggressively go after the ball.

Weaknesses: He still needs some technique and recognition work when it comes to coverage. Needs to consistently wrap up and not just hit his target with body shots.

12/11/13 - 2013 ALL-SEC SECOND TEAM (COACHES): DB - Nickoe Whitley, Mississippi State...Whitley made two of the biggest defensive plays for the Bulldogs all season with a pair of forced fumbles. He halted a potential game-winning drive by Arkansas and ended the Egg Bowl by jarring the ball away from Bo Wallace. He was tabbed the Dec. 2 Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Week following his Egg Bowl heroics. A native of Jackson, Miss., Whitley is the FBS active leader in career interceptions with 15 and owns 229 career tackles. - Mississippi State football
12/10/13 - 2013 ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-SEC HONORABLE MENTION: Nickoe Whitley, S, Mississippi St., 6-1, 205, Sr.,...Whitley made two of the biggest defensive plays for the Bulldogs all season with a pair of forced fumbles. He halted a potential game-winning drive by Arkansas and ended the Egg Bowl by jarring the ball away from Bo Wallace. He was tabbed the Dec. 2 Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Week following his Egg Bowl heroics. A native of Jackson, Miss., Whitley is the FBS active leader in career interceptions with 15 and owns 229 career tackles.

He also excelled against then No. 1 Alabama with two touchdowns-saving tackles, chasing down T.J. Yeldon at the MSU 28-yard line during the Crimson Tide’s final drive of the opening half and breaking up a pass in the end zone on the Crimson Tide’s first play of the fourth quarter. - Mississippi State football

• Despite injuries, managed to accumulate nearly four years of SEC starting experience.
• Very tough; tore his ACL in the third week of 2013 and somehow finished the year.
• Possesses a prototypical combination of height and bulk for an NFL free safety.
• Overall style of play may make him better suited to working in-the-box at the next level.
• Has lined up as a deep safety, in the slot, and as essentially a linebacker in college.
• Plays with a physical, aggressive, nasty on-field demeanor coaches may appreciate.
• Capable of lining up ballcarriers and making some big hits, has forced a few fumbles.
• Showcases soft hands; has recorded three or more interceptions in every season.
• Temperament and physicality appear well-suited to a special teams role in the pros.

NEGATIVES:

• Torn ACL will likely prevent him from working out, create a medical question mark.
• Also ruptured his Achilles’ in 2011, another cause for concern requiring investigation.
• Adequate range in deep coverage but doesn’t have particularly impressive athleticism.
• Aggressiveness can frequently be exploited via play fakes and misdirection plays.
• Not exactly the type of patient free safety teams want as their last line of defense.
• For every big play he makes for his own team, he enables one or two from opponents.
• Also commits a few too many penalties, seemingly has trouble maintaining composure.

SUMMARY:

Whitley’s size, physicality, and soft hands are characteristic of a quality safety, but despite having four years of starting experience under his belt, his aggressiveness and impatience can be exploited too easily to feel comfortable letting him see the field on defense without making some major strides. To compound matters, he tore his Achilles’ in 2011 and ACL in 2013, with the latter injury potentially slowing a safety whose speed was already underwhelming to begin with. At this point, he is a defensive liability with serious health concerns.

Bortles is a fourth-year junior and a two-year starter at UCF. Coming out of high school he was a three-star recruit who had offers from schools such as Purdue, Western Kentucky, and Colorado State. He has excellent size at about 6’4 – 230 to go along with good athleticism and play speed. At the Combine, he should run in the 4.7 area. He plays in a multi-offense and plays from both under center and in the spread. The Central Florida scheme is closer to a pro-style offense than many other college offenses. Bortles had good production this year, completing 259 of 382 passes for 3581 yards, 25 TDs, and nine interceptions. His completion percentage was just under 68%, but I don’t put a lot of stock into that stat at the college level. I feel ball placement is a far better indicator of a college quarterback's accuracy because of how wide open many college receivers are.

When playing from under center, Bortles can set up fairly quickly. He has a good feel for pass rushers, but he will often run out of the pocket when he is pressured instead of stepping up into the pocket. He shows he can go through a progression and find the open receiver, but there are also times when he will stare down his primary receiver. While he can go through a progression, you seldom see him look off a receiver and come back to another. He flashes making some really good throws, showing good timing, and getting good zip on the ball. He also has a lot of throws where his timing is off and he doesn’t set his feet. You see a lot of throws where he is not in proper balance. I feel his decision making is inconsistent. He is at his best against weaker opponents and when he isn’t pressured, but in games like South Carolina, when the competition is very good, he can struggle and make poor decisions. His throwing motion and release quickness are adequate. When you watch enough tape, you can see that he will change his throwing motion at times. He doesn’t have a really quick release. There are guys who make a decision, and the ball is out of their hand instantly. That isn’t the case with Bortles, and it allows DBs to get a jump on the ball (see So. Carolina)

Bortles' best throws are on the shorter passes (15 yards and less). The further downfield he throws, the less accurate he becomes. His ability to throw the deep ball is average at best. Many of his longer plays, that I saw, were actually shorter passes with long runs after the catch. He has good arm strength, but he does not have a cannon. While he can throw a tight ball, he also throws a lot of balls that “flutter”.

Bortles has good running skills. He is not going to remind anyone of “Johnny Football” with his run skills but they are good enough. While he is not elusive, he is strong and can find an open lane.

I am not going to deny that this player has talent, but I do feel that he would have been better served staying in college and developing his game. He is far from being ready to come into the NFL and play. There is too much inconsistency in his overall game. I question if he can become an eventual starter and win in the NFL. That doesn’t mean he won’t start for whoever drafts him, but as we all have seen the last five to six years, there have been MANY quarterbacks drafted with high hopes who haven’t lived up to expectations. Right now, I would take Bridgewater, Manziel, McCarron, Derek Carr, David Fales and Brett Smith before I would take Bortles. I feel all of them are better passers and better prepared to play in the NFL.

Marion Grice possesses average overall size for the running back position…His build is on the slender side, but he carries his weight well and runs bigger than his measureables suggest…Grice is equally effective as an inside and outside runner, displaying the necessary patience to let his blocks develop in front of him…Possesses a natural feel as a runner, identifying the hole and cutback lanes quickly…Has good feet for the position. He takes efficient and effective steps and is quick enough to make a man miss for extra yardage…Grice has enough flexibility in his hips to change direction on an adequate level and presents with deceptive wiggle…Excels in the passing game, displaying good route running skills and natural, soft hands…He is a willing and adequate blocker in pass protection…Added value in the return game on kickoff, as he fields kicks cleanly and gets upfield in a hurry.

Grice needs to become more consistent running behind his pads/lowering his pads…At times he can be too patient and fails to take the yardage that is in front of him…Doesn’t possess the long speed needed to be a consistent big play threat…Ended the season with a mysterious lower leg injury that has sidelined him for more than one game.

On the next level, Marion Grice projects as a 3-down back that will offer offenses versatility as a dual threat out of the backfield. His running style suggests success in the NFL, as he is a natural with the ball in his hands. He’s not going to wow you with highlight reel runs, but much like Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears, Grice does the little things well at the running back position. His ability to allow his linemen to reach their assignment and react off of the block is a predictor for success in the pros. And while he’s not flashy, he does have the necessary athleticism that will allow him to compete against NFL defenders. Grice is going to be one of the first running backs selected in May as a result of his running, receiving and return ability and will challenge for a big role as a rookie. It wouldn’t surprise me if Grice is a starting running back in the NFL before his rookie season is completed.